The Case Against 8, 2014
Directed by Ben Cotner and Ryan White
SYNOPSIS:
A behind-the-scenes look inside the case to overturn California’s ban on same-sex marriage. Shot over five years, the film follows the unlikely team that took the first federal marriage equality lawsuit to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Human emotion can be a powerful thing. The fight against oppression can be even more powerful. It’s amazing to think that in 2014, campaigns are still being run for equal rights for the gay community. Filmed over 5 years, The Case Against 8 tells the story of the court cases over the rights for gay couples to be legally married in the state of California. And just like human emotion, The Case Against 8 is incredibly powerful.
The documentary follows the case being built by the American Foundation of Equal Rights and one of the key parts of getting it right so they would win was in picking the two couples who would represent the plaintiffs. This also helps the movie as Kristin Perry, Sandra Stier, Paul Katami and Jeffrey Zarrillo are captivating, sweet and loveable people. Hearing their stories will tug at your heart-strings and you can really feel just how much they love each other. The way they talk about their significant others is utterly beautiful while never being sanctimonious and anyone with a beating heart will struggle to not shed a tear. Directors Ben Cotner and Ryan White know that this is an emotional tale, but they never abuse the stories to make you cry. Nothing is forced in The Case Against 8, it’s all real.
However, the two couples are not the only sweet duo in The Case Against 8. In a beautiful way, the two lawyers behind the plaintiffs feel like an old married couple themselves. Ted Olson and David Boies started off as rivals on the case for Bush vs Gore during the controversies surrounding the Florida recount but joined forces to fight against Proposition 8. In a very cute moment, the pair talk about the food presented with Olson wanting pizza and Boise telling him they only have tacos. Whether it was intentional of Cotner and White, the Olson/Boies dynamic is one of the loveliest elements of what is already a very sweet story.
The Case Against 8 is not a cinema watch, nor is it a documentary you should seek out to buy. However, when it’s on TV or on Netflix, this is a must-watch. Get your tissues at the ready as you will have tears of joy streaming down your face during several points throughout the movie. The Case Against 8 is pure human emotion, genuine and real. If you are not weeping and smiling by the end of this movie, you’re either totally dead inside – or a massive homophobe. The Case Against 8 is one of the most beautiful true-life stories ever told.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★
Luke Owen is one of Flickering Myth’s co-editors and the host of the Flickering Myth Podcast. You can follow him on Twitter @LukeWritesStuff.
Originally published April 27, 2014. Updated April 12, 2018.
